U.S. Strikes 4 Alleged Drug-Running Boats in Eastern Pacific, Killing 14
- Richard Sykes
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
WASHINGTON—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the U.S. military struck four suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific, killing 14 people and leaving one survivor. The operation marks the deadliest day since the Trump administration began its intensified campaign against maritime drug smuggling nearly two months ago.
The Pentagon said the strikes occurred Monday off Colombia’s coast, though Mexico’s navy reported searching about 400 miles southwest of Acapulco, raising uncertainty about the exact location. One survivor was seen clinging to wreckage, and U.S. forces relayed coordinates to Mexican and Coast Guard units.
Mexico’s navy said Tuesday it was still conducting search and rescue operations and criticized the U.S. attacks. Hegseth confirmed that Mexico had assumed responsibility for the rescue but did not say if the survivor was recovered or would be extradited.
Hegseth shared footage online showing boats laden with bundles exploding after being hit. He said the vessels were tracked along “known narco-trafficking routes” and carried narcotics. However, U.S. officials have provided no public evidence linking the boats or casualties to drug cartels.
The 13 disclosed strikes since early September have killed at least 57 people, several near Venezuela, with Washington blaming the Tren de Aragua gang—labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. Last week, the Pentagon sent an aircraft carrier to join eight warships and thousands of troops in the region, prompting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to accuse Washington of “fabricating” a war.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the operations target narcotics smuggling, while also accusing Maduro’s government of aiding traffickers. The U.S. has flown heavy bombers near Venezuela as part of the show of force.
President Donald Trump has said he has the legal authority to strike drug traffickers at sea or on land, comparing the campaign to the post-9/11 war on terrorism. Hegseth echoed that view, calling cartels “unlawful combatants” who “have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda.”
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